Beastly glass

This has to be my favourite piece of stained glass. It is seriously weird. The shield shows the arms of the County of Kyburg in Switzerland. The beast people are supposed to signify strength and potency and the floral garland, erotic love. Apparently, in the 15th century around certain parts of Switzerland, the Wild Men (their caps, not mine) were worshipped for their strength and potency. There is no mention of how her hairy suit came to be ripped in such a handy fashion.

This glass was probably made by Lukas Zeiner around 1485-94 and is now in the V&A, carefully hidden away. I spotted it ages ago but only just re-discovered it at lunch time today.